The body of another climber from the group, Dutchman Eric Arnold, who died after making it to the summit, was also recovered from the peak.

"Maria's family is already in Kathmandu and we have already applied our manpower to bring down both dead bodies, so within three days we are going to bring (them to) Kathmandu," Furtengi Sherpa, who works for the operator, said.

Dr Strydom's husband Robert Gropel also became unwell on the mountain but has since been discharged from hospital.

Her mother had previously expressed her hope that her daughter's body would be retrieved from the mountain.

"We saw through the Himalayan [Times] post that my daughter died. Pemba Sherpa was called several times, he didn't want to help at all. Your satellite phone and Maya's phones were off too," she wrote on Facebook.

Everest deaths 'an unexpected accident'

Mr Furtengi said the company was run by a group of brothers who were very experienced on Mount Everest and had regularly led successful climbs to the summit.